Aircraft performance modification system that provides and controls aircraft systems settings and ballast adjustments to reduce drag by proactively controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag to provide improved performance due to decreased drag, and to prevent a stalled condition

1 . An aircraft performance modification system for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, an aircraft lateral axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from wingtip to wingtip, and an aircraft vertical axis that passes through the aircraft CG at right angles to the aircraft longitudinal axis and the aircraft lateral axis, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise fuel tanks, one or more aircraft fuel control systems, aircraft flight controls, aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft flight control systems, aircraft flight controls settings, one or more aircraft engine(s), one or more aircraft engine power setting control systems, and aircraft engine power control settings, the aircraft performance modification system comprising:

a CG subsystem that coordinates, manages, or controls movement of fuel between, and to or from, one or more of the fuel tanks to adjust a CG location of the aircraft CG, wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the range of CG locations;

one or more processor systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to:

manage the CG subsystem, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings, and

concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about the aircraft lateral axis;

wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more processor systems;

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured for automatically or autonomously

a) controlling

(i) adjustments to the aircraft CG such that the CG location is within, and at times outside, a range of CG locations along the aircraft,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s)

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag, and

b) controlling

(i) the adjustments to the aircraft CG,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) the adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power and resulting engine(s) thrust

to prevent a stalled condition.

2 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , the aircraft being characterized by the range of CG locations comprising a certified range of CG locations:

wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the certified range of CG locations as managed by the one or more processor systems.

3 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , the aircraft being characterized by the range of CG locations comprising a specified or defined range of CG locations:

wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the specified or defined range of CG locations as managed by the one or more processor systems.

4 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 ,

wherein the CG subsystem and the one or more processor systems are configured such that the aircraft performance modification system simultaneously adjusts

the movement and locations of the aircraft CG,

the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

the adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power and the resulting engine(s) thrust to

increase aircraft performance,

maintain aircraft controllability, and

control and adjust resulting configurations, comprising combinations of CG locations, positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and the aircraft engine(s) output power and the resulting engine(s) thrusts,

inside and

at times outside

 positive static stability configurations that create positive static stability

to prevent a stalled condition.

5 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 ,

wherein the CG subsystem and the one or more processor systems are configured such that the aircraft performance modification system simultaneously adjusts

the movement and locations of the aircraft CG,

the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

the adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power and the resulting engine(s) thrust to:

reduce drag, and

increase the maximum speed, the maximum range, the maximum endurance, the maximum altitude, and/or the effective fuel offload of the aircraft.

6 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings for controlling the aircraft configurations including adjusting the CG location within, and at times outside, the range of CG locations,

yielding flight performance improvements attributable to the decreased drag,

while utilizing one or more fine-resolution AI/ML neural network control techniques to

concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings, and

maintain safety of flight.

7 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , the range of CG locations of the aircraft comprising a forward CG limit location at a forward end of the range and an aft CG limit location at an aft end of the range:

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings for controlling the aircraft configurations including adjusting the CG location within, and at times outside, the range of CG locations between the forward CG limit location and the aft CG limit location; and

wherein the range of CG locations comprises a plurality of CG locations between the forward CG limit location and the aft CG limit location that along with a maximum gross takeoff weight of the aircraft provide a specified or defined, and certified, envelope for safely flying the aircraft.

8 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings for controlling the aircraft configurations including adjusting the CG location within, and at times outside, the range of CG locations, wherein the one or more processor systems are configured for automatically or autonomously performing

control of multiple simultaneous aircraft configurations

utilizing precomputed AI neural network (ANN) models comprising a plurality of data points that are derived from or based on training and testing of the precomputed ANN models,

resulting in mappings for a plurality of aircraft configuration combinations each yielding flight performance improvements attributable to the decreased drag,

while maintaining safety margins applicable to current environmental conditions and the aircraft configurations.

9 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 8 :

wherein the one or more processor systems and the precomputed ANNs, based on the current environmental conditions and the aircraft configurations, compute and adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings responsive to aircraft performance optimization requirements;

wherein the one or more processor systems and the precomputed ANNs, based on the current environmental conditions and the aircraft configurations, compute and display, print, store in memory, or transmit multiple visual graphics of multiple CG ranges and planned locations of the aircraft CG for the current environmental conditions, the aircraft configurations, and one or more aircraft performance optimization requirements, in order to provide personnel with situational awareness;

wherein the one or more processor systems and the precomputed ANNs, based on the current environmental conditions and the aircraft configurations, compute and display, print, store in memory, or transmit multiple visual graphics of multiple CG ranges and planned locations of the aircraft CG for the current environmental conditions, the aircraft configurations, and one or more aircraft performance optimization requirements in order to provide personnel with situational awareness; and/or

wherein the one or more processor systems and the precomputed ANNs, based on the current environmental conditions and aircraft configurations, compute and display, print, store in memory, or transmit multiple visual graphics of aircraft performance optimization profiles in order to provide personnel with situational awareness.

10 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to move the aircraft into, forward and aft within, and at times outside, a window of positive static stability flight configurations of the aircraft that provide flight performance capabilities to the aircraft and to manage the CG subsystem, the aircraft flight controls settings and the aircraft engine power control settings for:

controlling movement of fuel between, or to or from, one or more of the fuel tanks facilitated by the one or more fuel control systems, thereby affecting fuel locations and the CG location,

controlling movement of the aircraft flight controls facilitated by the one or more aircraft flight control systems, thereby affecting the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

controlling changes to the aircraft engine(s) output power facilitated by the one or more aircraft power setting control systems, thereby affecting the resulting engine(s) thrust of the one or more aircraft engine(s).

11 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to control the CG location, the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, the aircraft engine(s) output power, and the combined effects of the one or more aircraft fuel control systems, the one or more aircraft flight control systems, and the one or more aircraft engine power setting control systems for manipulating the forward and aft pitching control forces, the forward and aft pitching control forces comprising a CG moment, a flight control moment, and an engine thrust moment, for:

adjusting (i) the CG moment, (ii) the flight control moment, and/or (iii) the engine thrust moment to

decrease drag thereby providing improved aircraft performance, or increase drag thereby altering aircraft performance; and

adjusting (i) the CG moment, (ii) the flight control moment, and/or (iii) the engine thrust moment to prevent a stalled condition.

12 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 11 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to adjust the forward and aft pitching control forces by:

adjusting (i) the CG moment, (ii) the flight control moment, and (iii) the engine thrust moment such that the engine thrust moment acts as an upward force on the aircraft to prevent the stalled condition.

13 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured for controlling aircraft system and aircraft performance modification system settings for adjusting (i) the CG location, (ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and (iii) the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s) to control movement of the aircraft in aircraft flight configurations that provide flight performance capabilities to the aircraft due to reduced drag.

14 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to accept selection inputs from personnel or other systems for a plurality of aircraft performance optimization profiles;

wherein the plurality of aircraft performance optimization profiles available for selection include performance optimization of

maximum range,

maximum range dynamic profile, maximum speed,

maximum speed and altitude,

maximum speed and altitude dynamic profile,

maximum endurance,

maximum endurance dynamic profile,

maximum speed balanced with maximum endurance (per requirements),

maximum rate of climb,

maximum rate of climb dynamic profile,

maximum altitude,

maximum altitude dynamic profile,

routing for least risk,

routing for maximum fuel efficiency,

routing for least time en route, or

one or more combinations thereof.

15 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings for controlling (i) the CG locations within, and at times outside, an allowable range of CG locations

based on current passenger, fuel, luggage, and cargo loadout of the aircraft.

16 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to receive mission- or operation-specific data and analyses of sensed or detected objects; and

wherein the mission- or operation-specific data and analyses are provided by, and the one or more processor systems are configured to operatively interface with, at least one of:

one or more artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems,

one or more distributed processing systems or networks, or

one or more mission- or operation-specific agentic AI computational systems that operatively connect with one or more of: the one or more aircraft fuel control systems, the one or more aircraft flight control systems, or

the one or more aircraft engine power setting control systems.

17 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems; and

wherein the one or more processor systems and the plurality of AI computational systems are configured to perform redundant control systems operations or functions.

18 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 17 :

wherein the one or more processor systems and/or the plurality of AI computational systems comprise operationally/functionally redundant components respectively provided at different locations on the aircraft spatially distributing operational/functional redundancy.

19 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems; and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems are operatively connected with, and configured to perform one of more co-processing tasks with, one or more onboard and/or offboard AI computational systems, and

one or more of the aircraft components.

20 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

wiring harnesses; and

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems;

wherein one or more of the of the plurality of AI computational systems comprises one or more distributed artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software and firmware subsystems, and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems are located within or adjacent to, and integrated with one or more of the wiring harnesses.

21 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems or agents operatively connected with the one or more processor systems; and

wherein the one or more processor systems and the plurality of AI computational systems or agents are configured to collaboratively and/or independently process inputs for one or more aerial refueling (AR) mission-specific computational tasks or processes.

22 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to autonomously initiate or execute one or more computational tasks or processes for detecting locations of other aircraft.

23 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems operatively connected with the one or more processor systems and configured to receive and compare sensor, computer vision, and/or telemetry inputs pertaining to one or more objects and in relation to mission- or operation-specific measured data and/or simulated data used to train the one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems.

24 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to adjust forces applied to the aircraft in pitching the aircraft around the aircraft lateral axis and for providing and controlling a stable flight configuration of the aircraft in which the aircraft CG is balanced with an aerodynamic configuration of the aircraft, the positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and the magnitude of the aircraft engine(s) output power.

25 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 24 :

while the one or more processor systems are configured to actively maintain the stable flight configuration as well as a positive static stability and a positive dynamic stability of the aircraft.

26 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems comprise, or are configured to utilize,

one or more artificial intelligence (AI) processors that control

the one or more aircraft fuel control systems,

the one or more aircraft flight control systems, and

the one or more aircraft power setting control systems.

27 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are operatively connected with the CG subsystem and configured to dynamically manage interactions of movements of the aircraft CG and of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and changes to the aircraft engine power control settings; and

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to control adjustments to the CG location utilizing one or more pumps that move fuel between, or to or from, one or more of the fuel tanks.

28 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more interfaces configured to operatively connect

the one or more processor systems with

one or more distributed artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software and firmware subsystems.

29 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 :

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to operatively connect with

one or more distributed artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software and firmware subsystems that provide optimization and control of aircraft flight dynamics capabilities to the one or more processor systems and/or independently interface with one or more of the aircraft components to provide optimization and control of aircraft flight dynamics.

30 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 29 :

wherein the one or more distributed AI/ML software and firmware subsystems are configured to operably connect with one or more of the aircraft components to provide capabilities to the aircraft of selectively providing refueling presentations to one or more receiver aircraft.

31 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 29 :

wherein the one or more distributed AI/ML software and firmware subsystems operably connect with one or more of the aircraft components to increase the maximum speed, the maximum range, the maximum endurance, the maximum altitude, and/or the effective fuel offload of the aircraft.

32 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more distributed artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software and firmware subsystems operably connected with the one or more processor systems and configured to provide optimization and control of aircraft flight dynamics capabilities to the aircraft and/or to independently interface with one or more of the aircraft components to provide optimization and control of aircraft flight dynamics.

33 . An aircraft performance modification system for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, an aircraft lateral axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from wingtip to wingtip, and an aircraft vertical axis that passes through the aircraft CG at right angles to the aircraft longitudinal axis and the aircraft lateral axis, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft engine(s), aircraft flight controls settings, and aircraft engine power control settings, the aircraft performance modification system comprising:

one or more artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to manage the aircraft flight controls settings and the aircraft engine power control settings, wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about the aircraft lateral axis, wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more AI computational systems;

wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured for automatically or autonomously performing:

a) controlling

(i) adjustments to the aircraft CG such that the CG location is within, and at times outside, a range of CG locations along the aircraft,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s),

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag, and

b) controlling

(i) the adjustments to the aircraft CG,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) the adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power and resulting engine(s) thrust

to prevent a stalled condition.

34 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 :

wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to receive mission- or operation-specific data and analyses of sensed or detected objects; and

wherein the mission- or operation-specific data and analyses are provided by, and the one or more AI computational systems are configured to operatively interface with, at least one of:

one or more AI augmentation systems,

one or more distributed processing systems or networks, or

one or more mission- or operation-specific agentic AI computational systems,

that operatively connect with one or more of the aircraft components.

35 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 :

wherein the one or more AI computational systems comprise a plurality AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems; and

wherein the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are configured to perform redundant control systems operations or functions.

36 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 35 :

wherein the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems comprise operationally/functionally redundant components respectively provided at different locations of the aircraft spatially distributing operational/functional redundancy.

37 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 , further comprising:

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems; and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are operatively connected with, and configured to perform one of more co-processing tasks with, one or more of the aircraft components.

38 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 , further comprising:

wiring harnesses; and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are located within or adjacent to, and integrated with one or more of the wiring harnesses.

39 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 :

wherein the one or more AI computational systems comprise a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems; and

wherein the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are configured to collaboratively and/or independently process inputs for one or more aerial refueling (AR) mission-specific computational tasks or processes.

40 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 :

wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to autonomously initiate or execute one or more computational tasks or processes for detecting locations of other aircraft.

41 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 33 , further comprising:

one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems operatively connected with the one or more AI computational systems and configured to receive and compare sensor, computer vision, and/or telemetry inputs pertaining to one or more objects and in relation to mission- or operation-specific measured data and/or simulated data used to train the one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems.

42 . A method for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft engine(s), aircraft flight controls settings, and aircraft engine power control settings, the method comprising:

by one or more processor systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more processor systems,

managing the aircraft flight controls settings and the aircraft engine power control settings,

concurrently adjusting the aircraft CG within a specified or defined range of CG locations along the aircraft, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about an aircraft lateral axis that is orthogonal to the aircraft longitudinal axis and/or that intersects the aircraft CG, and

automatically or autonomously performing:

a) controlling

(i) the CG location,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s)

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag, and

b) controlling

(i) the CG location,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) the aircraft engine(s) output power

to prevent a stalled condition.

43 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:

utilizing at least one of:

one or more artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems at least in part provided onboard the aircraft or located within one or more wiring harnesses or other systems of the aircraft,

one or more distributed processing systems or networks, or

one or more mission- or operation-specific agentic AI computational systems,

that operatively connect with one or more of the aircraft components,

to provide the one or more processor systems with mission- or operation-specific data and analyses of sensed or detected objects.

44 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems and a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems to perform redundant control systems operations or functions.

45 . The method of claim 44 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems and/or the plurality of AI computational systems to provide operationally/functionally redundant components respectively provided at different locations of the aircraft spatially distributing operational/functional redundancy.

46 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems and a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems or agents to collaboratively and/or independently process inputs for one or more aerial refueling (AR) mission-specific computational tasks or processes.

47 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems to autonomously initiate or execute one or more computational tasks or processes for detecting locations of other aircraft.

48 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising:

utilizing one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems operatively connected with the one or more processor systems to receive and compare sensor, computer vision, and/or telemetry inputs pertaining to one or more objects and in relation to mission- or operation-specific measured data and/or simulated data used to train the one or more mission- or operation-specific computational systems.

49 . An aircraft performance modification system for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, an aircraft lateral axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from wingtip to wingtip, and an aircraft vertical axis that passes through the aircraft CG at right angles to the aircraft longitudinal axis and the aircraft lateral axis, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise fuel tanks, one or more aircraft fuel control systems, aircraft flight controls, aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft flight control systems, aircraft flight controls settings, one or more aircraft engine(s), one or more aircraft engine power setting control systems, and aircraft engine power control settings, the aircraft performance modification system comprising:

a CG subsystem that coordinates, manages, or controls movement of fuel between, and to or from, one or more of the fuel tanks to adjust a CG location of the aircraft CG, wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the range of CG locations;

one or more processor systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein the one or more processor systems are configured to:

manage the CG subsystem, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings, and

concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about the aircraft lateral axis;

wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more processor systems;

wherein the one or more processor systems are configured for automatically or autonomously

controlling

(i) adjustments to the aircraft CG such that the CG location is within, and at times outside, a range of CG locations along the aircraft,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s)

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag.

50 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 49 , the aircraft being characterized by the range of CG locations comprising a certified range of CG locations:

wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the certified range of CG locations as managed by the one or more processor systems.

51 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 49 , the aircraft being characterized by the range of CG locations comprising a specified or defined range of CG locations:

wherein the CG subsystem is configured to adjust the CG location within and at times outside the specified or defined range of CG locations as managed by the one or more processor systems.

52 . An aircraft performance modification system for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, an aircraft lateral axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from wingtip to wingtip, and an aircraft vertical axis that passes through the aircraft CG at right angles to the aircraft longitudinal axis and the aircraft lateral axis, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft engine(s), aircraft flight controls settings, and aircraft engine power control settings, the aircraft performance modification system comprising:

one or more artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to manage the aircraft flight controls settings and the aircraft engine power control settings, wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured to concurrently adjust the aircraft CG, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about the aircraft lateral axis, wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more AI computational systems;

wherein the one or more AI computational systems are configured for automatically or autonomously performing:

controlling

(i) adjustments to the aircraft CG such that the CG location is within, and at times outside, a range of CG locations along the aircraft,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) adjustments to the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s),

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag.

53 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 52 , further comprising:

a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems; and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are operatively connected with, and configured to perform one of more co-processing tasks with, one or more of the aircraft components.

54 . The aircraft performance modification system of claim 52 , further comprising:

wiring harnesses; and

wherein one or more of the plurality of AI computational systems and/or agentic AI computational systems are located within or adjacent to, and integrated with one or more of the wiring harnesses.

55 . A method for modifying performance of an aircraft, the aircraft being characterized by an aircraft center-of-gravity (CG), an aircraft longitudinal axis that passes through the aircraft CG and parallel to a line from nose to tail, the aircraft comprising aircraft components that comprise aircraft flight control surfaces, one or more aircraft engine(s), aircraft flight controls settings, and aircraft engine power control settings, the method comprising:

by one or more processor systems operatively connected with one or more of the aircraft components, wherein one or more aircraft flight performance and systems parameters that are based on aircraft flight performance optimization requirements are inputs to the one or more processor systems,

managing the aircraft flight controls settings and the aircraft engine power control settings,

concurrently adjusting the aircraft CG within a specified or defined range of CG locations along the aircraft, the aircraft flight controls settings, and the aircraft engine power control settings to manipulate forward and aft pitching control forces about an aircraft lateral axis that is orthogonal to the aircraft longitudinal axis and/or that intersects the aircraft CG, and

automatically or autonomously performing:

controlling

(i) the CG location,

(ii) the movement and positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces, and

(iii) the aircraft engine(s) output power of the one or more aircraft engine(s)

to reduce drag by controlling aircraft configurations that result in adjusted drag, yielding flight performance improvements attributable to decreased drag.

56 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems and a plurality of artificial intelligence (AI) computational systems or agents to collaboratively and/or independently process inputs for one or more aerial refueling (AR) mission-specific computational tasks or processes.

57 . The method of claim 55 , further comprising:

utilizing the one or more processor systems to autonomously initiate or execute one or more computational tasks or processes for detecting locations of other aircraft.